# Sign Regulations in Lower Makefield Township, Pennsylvania

Sign permit rules, size and height limits, setbacks, and ordinance citations for Lower Makefield Township, Pennsylvania, compiled by PermitPal from the jurisdiction's published municipal code.

- **Jurisdiction:** Lower Makefield Township, Pennsylvania (PA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/pennsylvania/lower-makefield-township
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/11227139#11227139)

## At a glance

Lower Makefield Township, Pennsylvania regulates 31 sign types across 6 zoning districts. Freestanding On-Premises Advertising Signs in the C-1 District, C-2 District, C-3 — Commercial — General Business and Industrial District, MU Overlay District (Nonresidential Portions) zoning district are capped at 14 ft tall and 75 sq ft (Sec. §200-85A(3)). Most commercial signs in Lower Makefield Township require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (6 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| SOPAS Special Off-Premises Advertising Sign Overlay District | 1 | 20 ft | 302 sq ft per side | — |
| O-R — Office/Research District | 3 | 14 ft | 150 sq ft | — |
| C-1 District, C-2 District, C-3 — Commercial — General Business and Industrial District, MU Overlay District (Nonresidential Portions) | 5 | 14 ft | 75 sq ft | — |
| R-RP District, R-1 District, R-2 District, R-3 District, R-3M District, R-4 District, MU Overlay District (Residential Portions) | 18 | 12 ft or first floor, whichever less | 36 sq in | — |
| Historic-Commercial District (H-C) | 4 | 6 ft | 12 sq ft | — |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 3 | 36 in | 3 sq ft | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 6 zones)

### C-1 District, C-2 District, C-3 — Commercial — General Business and Industrial District, MU Overlay District (Nonresidential Portions)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| All Residential Sign Types | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | §200-85A(1) |
| Parallel On-Premises Advertising Sign | — | Calculated per frontage; up to 25% of wall area | — | — | — | Building wall, parallel | — | §200-85A(2) |
| Freestanding On-Premises Advertising Sign | 14 ft | 75 sq ft | — | — | 1 per lot | On premises | — | §200-85A(3) |
| Shopping Center Occupant Identification Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Flush on building facade | — | §200-85B(3) |
| Off-Premises Subdivision/Land Development Sign | 4 ft | 3 sq ft | — | — | — | Near subdivision/development, off-premises | — | §200-85B(4) |

### R-RP District, R-1 District, R-2 District, R-3 District, R-3M District, R-4 District, MU Overlay District (Residential Portions)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Agricultural Produce Sale Sign | — | 12 sq ft | — | — | 1 | On premises where produce is sold. | — | §200-84A(1) |
| Nonresidential Use/Bulletin/Announcement Board or Identification Sign | — | 24 sq ft | — | — | 1 | For permitted nonresidential uses | — | §200-84A(4) |
| Nonconforming Use Identification Sign | — | 12 sq ft | — | — | 1 | On premises with lawful nonconforming use | — | §200-84A(5) |
| For Sale/Rent/Sold/Rented Sign | — | 12 sq ft | — | — | 1 | On premises | — | §200-84A(6) |
| Development (Builder/Developer/Contractor) Sign | — | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 per property/facing | On premises under development | — | §200-84A(7) |
| Temporary Mechanic/Contractor/Architect Sign | — | 6 sq ft | — | — | Max 4 per property | On premises under work | — | §200-84A(9), §200-83G(8) |
| Permanent Development Entrance Sign | 4.5 ft | 32 sq ft | — | — | 1 pair per main entrance | Outside clear sight triangle, not in ROW or township/deed restricted land; on individual or HOA property. | — | §200-84A(11) |
| Temporary religious/civic/charitable nonprofit exhibit/event sign | — | 12 sq ft per side | — | — | 1 per road frontage | On premises | — | §200-84A(12) |

### Historic-Commercial District (H-C)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign (Historic) | 6 ft | 12 sq ft | — | — | 1 per lot | On premises | — | §200-85E(2)-(3), (5), (7) |
| Parallel Sign (Historic) | — | 12 sq ft | — | — | 1 per lot | On premises, below second-floor sill | — | §200-85E(2)-(3), (5), (7) |
| Projecting Sign (Historic) | — | 4 sq ft | — | — | 1 per lot | Projecting from building | — | §200-85E(2)-(3), (5), (7) |
| Directory Tenant Identification Sign (Historic Multi-Tenant) | — | 1 sq ft per tenant | — | — | — | Flush on facade | — | §200-85E(2) |

## Prohibited signs in Lower Makefield Township

- No sign shall be placed in such a position as to endanger traffic on a street by obscuring view or by interfering with official street signs or signals by virtue of position, color or reflective surface.
- No sign may interfere with a clear sight triangle.
- No person shall paint, paste, brand, stamp or in any manner whatsoever place on or attach to any tree, telegraph, electric light or other pole on any street in the Township any written, printed, painted or other advertisement, bill, notice, sign, card or poster.
- No permanent signs except those of a duly constituted governmental body, including traffic signs and similar regulatory notices, shall be allowed within the right-of-way of a street, whether Township or state.
- Irrespective of content, no temporary or permanent sign shall be placed on property owned by Lower Makefield Township, except for official signs or election signs erected on Election Day within 50 feet of the Township property used as a polling place.
- No billboards may be placed or erected in the Township, except in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in Article XIIIB.
- All signs must be constructed of durable materials and must be kept in good condition and repair at all times.
- If the Building Inspector finds that any sign is unsafe or insecure or is a menace to the public, written notice will be given to the permittee; if not corrected in 10 days, the Inspector may remove or alter the sign at the owner's expense. Immediate perils may be removed summarily without notice.
- All signs shall comply with the construction standards of the Township Building Code.
- Festoon-lighted signs (incandescent bulbs hung or strung overhead or outlining structures) are prohibited.
- Flashing signs (illuminated signs with non-constant light) are prohibited.
- Roof signs (erected on or above the roof or parapet) are prohibited.
- Projecting signs are prohibited in all zoning districts except the HC Historic Commercial District.
- Any sign which causes glare or visual interference at any point along a street right-of-way is prohibited.
- Any sign containing information stating or implying that a property may be used for any purpose not permitted under the provisions of the chapter is prohibited.
- Any sign which flashes, rotates, revolves or oscillates or creates the illusion of doing so, except barber poles, is prohibited.
- Any novelty sign, including an object (e.g. tire, automobile, food product), is prohibited.
- Any sign placed or maintained in a manner that interferes with electric light, power, telephone or telegraph wires or the supports thereof is prohibited.
- Any sign which imitates any official traffic sign, signal or device is prohibited.
- Any sign which interferes with an official highway sign is prohibited.
- Any suspended or attached pennant or banner which blows in the wind, or spinner which spins in the wind is prohibited.

## Signs exempt from permit in Lower Makefield Township

- Holiday decorations displayed for recognized federal, state or religious holidays are exempt except as they may cause glare, traffic safety issues, or become a public safety hazard.
- Official highway sign, street name, directional, or other traffic sign erected in accordance with the Pennsylvania Motor Vehicle Code is exempt.
- No trespassing signs not exceeding two square feet and signs indicating private roads are exempt.
- Residential identification signs not exceeding two square feet, bearing only the property number, street address, and/or the names of occupants are exempt (must be non-illuminated or indirectly illuminated).
- Legal notices are exempt.
- Cornerstones are exempt.
- Revolving barbershop pole sign (not exceeding 36 inches in height and only in conjunction with a barbershop) is exempt.
- Temporary signs of mechanics, artisans, contractors, or architects (under specific dimensional and time limitations) are exempt; more than 60 days requires a permit.
- Official and governmental signs including safety signs, points of interest, historical plaques, public parks/facilities signs, and signs identifying official Township buildings/facilities are exempt; lights for public safety allowed.
- Temporary non-illuminated signs advertising an open house on the lot where an open house occurs, with time and size limits, are exempt. One off-premises sign for open house permitted, subject to restrictions.
- Election/political signs are exempt as temporary nonilluminated signs announcing, supporting, or opposing a candidate or issue in connection with any election.
- Signs placed on Township property in accordance with § 200-83C(6) are exempt (official signs or election signs on Election Day within 50 feet of Township polling places).

## Sign plan & submission notes

- The applicant shall submit all applications and plans required by the Code of the Township of Lower Makefield, including but not limited to § 200-89 of the Lower Makefield Township Zoning Ordinance, and a landscaping plan for SOPAS Special Off-Premises Advertising Signs.
- All plans for landscaping at the base of special off-premises advertising signs must be approved in accordance with methods provided in this chapter and the Lower Makefield Township Native Plant Ordinance.
- Signs to identify the use or the occupant within a shopping center shall be designed as part of the architectural design of the building and center.
- Any lawful sign which is a nonconforming use may continue in its present location until replacement or rebuilding is necessary for a period not exceeding two years; at that time a zoning permit is required and the sign is to be brought into conformity.
- Permits for certain off-premises development signs must be renewed every six months.
- An applicant for a sign permit for an off-premises development sign must provide evidence, in writing, that the property owner has given permission for placement of the sign.

## Full detail

This page publishes an overview of every zoning district plus a sample of 3 districts in full. Complete zone-by-zone requirements for all 6 zoning districts in Lower Makefield Township — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Lower+Makefield+Township+PA&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-lower-makefield-township

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